During Round 14 the Western Bulldogs welcomed students, parents and teachers from the western region of Melbourne to the MCG for the Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs game.
The excursion was part of the Club’s Multicultural Schools Football Program (MSFP) and marked the annual Western Bulldogs Multicultural Schools Match Visit.
Around 1000 students, teachers and parents attended the game and for most of them the event provided them with their first taste of the MCG and their first AFL experience.
The Match Visit was part of the MSFP, which incorporates a 5 week football clinic - in partnership with Victoria University, a tour of the MCG and National Sports Museum, Player Visits, Prizes and of course complimentary tickets and transport to an AFL match.
The event was a huge success, “It’s probably the key aspect of the program, for the kids to be able to be at an iconic ground such as the MCG and take in Friday Night Footy with their friends, family and most importantly their teachers, is a great community engagement tool”, said AFL Multicultural Development Officer, Nish Moses.
“The feedback we receive from the Schools has always been positive, with the kids learning about the skills involved in footy and then being able to be at a game and to see how the elite players perform always gives them a bit of a thrill” said Moses.
Teachers were thrilled that their students were able to go to an AFL game, “It strengthens the link between parents, students and the community beyond the school. Often these families do not have the opportunity financially to attend games. Some students attended with their teachers as guardians and they would otherwise not have the opportunity to attend.”
The Western Bulldogs would like to thank Victoria Police for their involvement in the event and also SITA Bus Company, Victoria University and all participating Schools for their involvement in the program.
